Mumbai runner and cardiac survivor Nihar Mehta is all set to run the 21km at the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) on January 18, 2026, to support the empowerment of girls and women in India through Maitrayana Charity Foundation. Maitrayana leverages the power of sport to empower women and girls to fulfil their potential.

Mehta, who lives in Santacruz, said, “I aim to raise funds for Maitrayana through this run, because I strongly believe there is a significant gender gap and discrimination in many areas of society, especially sport. Running the half-marathon at TMM in January 2025, I raised Rs 2,26,412.00. Next year, I am hoping to raise double that amount. I want to make a difference in the lives of these girls from underserved communities. Many of them do not have access to a sports field, or even if they do, they lack the money for basic sports equipment, such as good shoes. Funds mean closing that gap,” said Mehta.